Now that summer is here its time to keep your nails looking great, and it's fun to play with different looks . Here are some of my favourite ones right now … the gold tip replacing the white for a french polish. And to take the look that little bit further for fun - adding a glitter nail . Then the ombre look, especially in the colours above, is fun and stylish. I am also liking the 5 free new nail polishes that do not have the nasty chemicals in them (formaldehyde being one of them)…Try Scout or Mecca who are both 5 free in a great range of colours . x
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One of the most common reasons I hear as to why some women don't wear eye makeup is because they don't know how to do it…. and I get it, it's a bit daunting if you don't know what you're doing . Far better to leave it alone than to end up looking like you put it on after your 4th drink :). There is an art to it but you can learn it, and there is also a formula that if you follow will give you a great look every time . The picture on the left gives you exactly the template to use if you just want to know where to even start when it comes to applying eye shadows. I have shown you the model on the right so you can see how this translates in a heavy eye. But this method works with soft and natural or dark and smokey - any colour way - it is foolproof. You can also extend the pale colour in the inner corner of the eye right into the corner to really open up the eye (as shown in the pic on the right)…..and always remember to blend the shadows into each other so as not to have any harsh lines.
Give it a go ….x pics courtesy of : Pinterest and Vogue Russia I love fashion just as much, if not more, than I love makeup as anyone who knows me will second . And this week I was wondering what to post and I thought why not put together a complete look from the clothes thru to the makeup etc etc. just as I did with the wedding look , which was a lot of fun to do. I came up with this as I have summer on the brain. Not because summer has arrived but because it keeps threatening to arrive but only staying for a couple of days before needing to throw a jacket on again and think about turning on the heater! All I want to do is throw on one layer with a pair of sandals - nothing else! The other reason I chose this look is because I would definitely wear it….. the makeup is fresh and pretty , the hair is simple but with a twist and the Valentino sandals are on my wish list . Alongwith the ring which I added to the look because right now it is top of my wish list :) It is by Nga Waiata- big and bold - made of wood and blue agate.. a definite lust have. (maybe if I'm good for xmas ) . Enjoy your week. x My favourite eye makeup of all time would have to be the cat eye and it's many interpretations. I , myself , have worn it for years ( probably even when it wasn't fashionable but it suited me so I stuck with it ) . As I have gotten older I have gone from a black cat eye to a green cat eye so that the look is softer and more in keeping with my style these days. But this colour is to die for and if I were younger it would be my look right now…. anywhere and everywhere including the supermarket! I love colour when used properly on the eyes and the shape of the cat eye - going right into the corner of the eyes, and the simplicity of the look with a natural lip and strong brows is pure style….. and her gorgeous freckles complete the look for me. x
pic: courtesy of Pinterest I was asked by Lover.ly - ( a great wedding website for brides to collect ideas and organise their weddings) - to put a makeup look together for some of their wedding dresses. This was something I was excited about as I could choose any look I wanted to match the dress….. I chose the dress below to coordinate a look for , as I love the move away from the traditional wedding dress and into something more sexy and wearable. I love colour on the eyes when used properly and this dress was the perfect opportunity to show how this could be done, with those gorgeous lilac ombre ruffles - I wanted the softness of this colour to be translated in the eyes. With a soft black line under the eyes and along the upper lash line, it gives a slight smokiness to the look which is stunning. ( Notice how the black line only goes half way under the eye so as not to close the eye and make it look too harsh). Also the lips are left quite neutral so that the eyes are the focal point. It's a look that is not your typical bridal look but , in keeping with the dress, a look that says sexy and classy on your special day. It is also something that works well for both blondes or brunettes. Here is the link to Loverly's wedding page to find more to die for wedding dresses http://lover.ly/shop/dresses/bride All product names and colours used are listed below….x
I love french women. Parisian women in particular. They all look effortlessly cool… from 16-60 yrs old. They wear very little to no makeup , their clothes are usually neutral tones, their shoes flat and they just ooze style…. I think it is in their attitude.
I found this great article in an english style mag with excerpts taken from a book just published called How To Be Parisian by Audrey Diwan, Anne Berest, Caroline de Maigret & Sophie Mas which gives us an insight to the Parisian women ( I'm taking notes! ) I love it for its honesty and simplicity... this book could be my new style bible. It starts with - " Parisian women are chic but they are imperfect too " ( good to know..trying to emulate them for us other mere women would be impossible otherwise)…" She has a Chanel bag full of unpaid bills, forgets the gym when a friend wants to meet at Cafe de Flore and always takes off her makeup before bed but never brushes her hair before work…… I like her already! Below are the top 5 secrets to love, life, beauty and fashion , the Parisian way. THE BASICS: Find your perfume before you're 30, then wear it for the next 30 yrs. Culture is like eating fruit - it gives you a healthy glow.Everything you do should seem effortless and graceful. You don't always have to be made up, but you should always be well dressed. WHAT YOU WON'T FIND IN HER WARDROBE: Three inch heels; why live life halfway? Logos - you're not a billboard. Nylon, polyester, viscose. A skimpy top - you're not 15 anymore. A fake designer bag. HOW SHE PARENTS: The day she has a child she does not give up her somewhat adolescent life or her nights out with friends. Indeed , she doesn't give up anything. HER THOUGHTS ON BEAUTY: Don't be afraid of ageing but beware plastic surgery, better to look your age than no age at all. Not too much makeup, too many colours or too many accessories. Either go all grey or no grey at all - salt and pepper is for the table. As your face gets messier with age your hair should get neater. The French manicure is the exact opposite of French chic. HER MOTHER'S ADVICE ON LOVE: Age should never be an excuse. Love alone is not enough - you have to work at it. Be financially independent so that you love only for love. When you no longer want to love each other is when you're still in love. When you still want to love each other is when you have fallen out of love. How simple…x I love this look for its simplicity , its casualness and its sophistication. For me this is the perfect spring look…..now if only spring would arrive!
Pic courtesy of sheknows.com Turmeric seems to be the spice of choice at the moment and when you read about it's properties it is easy to see why. It is a powerful antioxidant that promotes healthy bones and joints, keeps our immune system healthy, keeps our cholesterol in check and gives radiant skin. Turmeric has been considered to be "skin food" for years in India and other cultures. This is due to curcumin being the magic ingredient that gives turmeric its yellow colour. It also stops plaque building that causes alzheimers - which is a good reason to consume masses of it right there! And the most interesting for me is the research now coming out that says it helps protect our brains from the toxins of fluoride which we consume everyday in many forms, including our drinking water. There is so much information now on the harm that fluoride is doing to our brains and our bodies. Especially the research that has been done into fluoride affecting our IQ….. yet another reason to be using turmeric as often as you can! The curcumin in turmeric helps to reduce the toxicity of fluoride in our brains by acting as a neuroprotective agent.
I have found this great smoothie recipe using turmeric that I often make for breakfast that has become my favourite way to start the day……. 1 cup almond milk 1/3 cup coconut water 1 banana 1/2 mango ( I use frozen mango when it is out of season) A good heaped tsp of chia seeds A good heaped tsp turmeric 1 tsp ginger Blend all the ingredients in a blender and serve. I would suggest if you are going to use turmeric that you buy organic just so you know it is pure and you will get the best health benefits from it. xx Getting great curls can sometimes be tricky when you have long hair but I found a blog that shows you a great trick with your straightener to give you those finger wave curls very easily as shown above. By placing your clips in between where you want to wave and sandwiching your hair between the straighteners you can achieve a similar look to the first pic very quickly and simply. Makes me want long hair again so I can try it out! :) xx
pic courtesy of : glamourista.nl I love a do that looks like you have thrown it up haphazardly and pinned it into place with only a degree of order and you look sexy. This pic does all of that for me. A messy french roll that is timeless and so easy. With a little teasing , a soft curl and some french pins you can achieve this look in just a few minutes…x
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About...I have been a makeup artist for over 20 yrs and am passionate about beauty and helping women to look the best they possibly can. I believe that women are beautiful at any age , and being older myself, am constantly on the look out for products that will help the skin retain its glow and beauty. From a very young age I have paid attention to my skin and have always gone looking for new, innovative - or even tried and true products that make a difference. I take inspiration from my friends and women I meet in my work. These women are the reason I started this blog , so that I can pass on my knowledge and help women to keep looking, and feeling amazing . I love finding new looks that inspire and you can adapt to your own style . I am also a mum with 3 boys which keeps my life very busy ... and never dull as anyone who knows me will attest to! All items posted on this blog are chosen because I have personally tried them and like them. I hope you find something here that you will love and will work for you. Archives
August 2017
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